“She has been an exceptional MLA, and a leader in our caucus.”
–Kevin Falcon
While the BC Conservatives are currently surging in the polls, one of BC United’s most conservative-leaning MLAs says it’s only a matter of time before voters realize the upstart party offers only empty promises.
Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield was sharply critical of the Conservatives, after her announcement at the legislature last week she would not be running for re-election in October.
“I think that ultimately the BC Conservatives are going to be shown for what they are,” Merrifield said in an interview.
“It’s like the Wizard of Oz, the curtain is going to open and everyone’s gonna go, ‘What, that’s what they are?’”
Merrifield’s sudden decision to end her political career after only one term was a surprise. Many in and around her own caucus were caught unaware until the final days of the spring session.
But she said her decision had nothing to do with repeated polls over the last few months that show the Conservatives could overwhelm incumbent United MLAs in ridings across the interior and north. Instead, she said she’s returning to her private development company.
“This has been a couple of months coming, but my company is exploding with positive growth,” she said.
“And with growing comes growing pains. I believe so much that we’re gonna see a BC United government that I was wrestling with my decision.”
A bumpy ride
Merrifield has long been considered a member of the conservative side of the political spectrum under BC United. She sought the federal Conservative nomination in the riding of Kelowna-Lake Country in 2019. Many wondered if she’d cross the aisle to the BC Conservatives one day, though she stayed loyal to United.
Merrifield had a bumpy four years in B.C.’s political arena
During the COVID-19 pandemic Merrifield was accused of amplifying social media misinformation, first for retweeting a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. post about media conspiracies, and then for promoting Vitamin D as preventative against COVID.
Merrifield became the focus of NDP attacks. She was removed as health critic by interim party leader Shirley Bond. She later settled into a role as environment and climate change critic, helping critique the NDP government’s CleanBC climate change targets.
Leader Kevin Falcon, who competed against her in the 2022 leadership race, said he grew to consider Merrifield “a very close friend.”
“I didn’t know Renee when I became leader of the party,” he said. “She has been an exceptional MLA, and a leader in our caucus as our caucus whip.”
Falcon said he was informed about her decision weeks ago — though outside of the leader it was kept quiet until just before her public announcement.
“She’s an incredible woman,” said Falcon. “Imagine being a full-time Opposition MLA and running a large successful company.”
‘What you can do and what you must do’
Merrifield founded Troikia Developments in Kelowna in 1998. It has grown steadily over the years, including during her time as an MLA. She said she now has 500 apartment units under construction, 1,700 more on the horizon and another 1,000 in development after that — more than $500 million worth of projects currently, plus four additional commercial projects.
The work, on top of being an MLA, has been overwhelming, she said.
“It was a couple of months ago that I started talking to leadership and we really worked to see if there was a different way,” she said, of her resignation.
“But ultimately, you know, my dad told me when I was growing up and left home at 15 that there will come a day when you need to make a decision between what you can do, and what you must do.
“And in this particular situation, this is the best decision for the team. They get a team member that isn’t feeling divided, and my team at home gets me back.”
Merrifield said the decision will free up a seat for a dedicated MLA while she focuses on her company.
“You can’t be in two worlds,” she said.